The first Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, starting at 10:00 am.
Shan Masood will lead the Pakistani team, which features a strong pace attack including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, and Mohammad Ali.
The team selection has been adapted to the Rawalpindi pitch, which is known to favor both fast bowling and batting.
Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha have been chosen for spin duties and are expected to strengthen the middle order alongside captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam.
Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub will open the innings, with Mohammad Rizwan taking on the wicketkeeper role.
Bangladesh will be captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto. The Bangladeshi squad includes Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam for pace, with Taskin Ahmed set to join the team for the second Test.
The Bangladesh lineup also features spin-bowling all-rounders Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is expected to benefit fast bowlers, aligning with both teams' pace-heavy strategies. It will also support batting, ensuring an engaging contest between bat and ball.
Pakistan has a strong Test record against Bangladesh, having won 12 of their 13 encounters. Bangladesh has struggled with consistency in Test matches, particularly in challenging conditions, and has failed to surpass 200 runs in five of their last eight innings.
The likely playing XIs for the match are:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali.
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud.
